Question of the Day #39

When it comes to international trade, it isn't always a level playing field.

上記の会話で、level playing fieldの意味は？
In the dialogue above, what does "level playing field" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

公平な立場［条件］、均等な機会

Answer

According to Idioms.in:

• a situation that is fair to everyone
• where everyone gets the same opportunity
• a situation where everyone has an equal and fair chance of succeeding
• a fair competition, where no advantage is shown to one side

Etymology/語源

英辞郎によると、

levelには形容詞で「平らな」という意味もあり、a level playing fieldとすると「平らな競技場」すなわち「公平な条件」という意味になる。

Idioms.inによると、

比喩的には、1900年代から使われているが、印刷物でもっとも古い例は、下記Example 5の1977年のTyrone Daily Heraldのものである。

According to Idioms.in:

This phrase alludes to the fairness required in field games where a slope would clearly be an advantage for one side, for example, football and rugby. Figuratively, it has been used since the late 1900s, with the oldest record found being in 1977 from the Tyrone Daily Herald.

Examples

• If the tax systems are different in each European country, how can industries start on a level playing field?
• If we started off with a level playing field, everyone would have an equal chance.
• A higher minimum wage would help encourage a culture of work and alevel playing field for the rising generation.
• In this instance, that puts Romney and Obama on a level playing field.
• "Our philosophy is that we have no problem competing with the mutual savings banks if they start from the level playing field," Bolger said.